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Scrape Timestamp (UTC): 2024-05-23 20:16:43.975
Source: https://www.theregister.com/2024/05/23/mandiant_cto_scattered_spider/
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Casino cyberattacks put a bullseye on Scattered Spider – and the FBI is closing in. Clock is ticking to it's time for the handcuffs, we're told. Interview The cyberattacks against Las Vegas casinos over the summer put a big target on the backs of Scattered Spider, the suspected perps, according to Mandiant Consulting's CTO Charles Carmakal. The Google-owned security biz has been tracking the loosely knit crew of suspected teens and twenty-somethings - believed to be located in the US and UK - since 2022 when they kicked off SIM swapping and social engineering attacks. But the gang's more recent turn to ransomware, data theft, and high-profile casino cyber-heists, which nearly shutdown MGM Resorts' hotel and casino biz for a week, raised the stakes and turned law enforcement's attention to the predatory arachnid-themed crew. "It certainly got the attention that is warranted after the casino attacks," Carmakal said in an interview with The Register you can see below. Youtube Video Carmakal also discussed how the crew's techniques and motivations differ from the typical extortion group — and the lasting impact Scattered Spider will likely have on the cybercrime landscape. The FBI has indicated that prosecutors are getting closer to charging people involved in the digital intrusions linked to Scattered Spider. "There have been some arrests," Carmakal told us, and while he won't put a timeline on when he expects to see any suspects being hauled into court, "I do anticipate we will eventually hear good news."
Daily Brief Summary
Scattered Spider, a cybercrime group suspected to involve young adults from the US and UK, has intensified its criminal activities by engaging in ransomware and high-profile cyber heists targeting Las Vegas casinos.
The group's aggressive tactics, especially against MGM Resorts, managed to almost shut down operations for a week, significantly raising its profile among law enforcement agencies.
Charles Carmakal of Mandiant Consulting highlighted that these casino attacks garnered the necessary attention for a more rigorous investigation by authorities.
The evolution of Scattered Spider from SIM swapping and social engineering to severe ransomware attacks shows a distinct shift in their methods and level of threat.
The FBI is reportedly closing in on the group, with ongoing investigations and some arrests already made, although exact timelines for court appearances are not specified.
Experts predict that the actions of Scattered Spider will likely have a lasting impact on the landscape of cybercrime due to their high-profile target selection and evolving tactics.